Abstract:

Simulation and test of SAR imaging modes for next-generation tactical missile MMW seekers and airborne RF sensor platforms will place extraordinary demands on currently available computing systems and RF scene simulation software. The computing problem isprimarily that of generating independent phase and frequency modulations representing a population of RF scattering center numbering in the range of a million. These independent modulation must be recalculated for each RF pulse issuing from the seeker orsensor platform.If response to the anticipated demand for practical methods and systems of computation of simulated SAR-fidelity RF background signatures, we propose a new algorithm for performing the computations. Since the algorithm contains at its core a regular,pipelineable sub-process consisting of Fast Fourier Transforms, we also propose to design an attached special function processor in which the FFT sub-process is accelerated.The ultimate goal for this research is to develop a capability for real-time generation of SAR-fidelity RF scene simulation signals.The products developed in this research will provide the capability to the DoD and scientific community to efficiently develop algorithms for man-made radar object recognition using SAR data. The SAR scene generation tools developed here will enable rapidsimulation testing of algorithm variants for a wide variety of SAR scenes. The SAR signal computation system design developed here will provide a real-time simulation capability not currently available.